gravel / dough
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gravel
A building material made up of small, round stones that are larger than sand. It is often used for paths, in concrete, or as a filter layer.
Die Einfahrt zu unserem Haus ist mit feinem Kies bedeckt.
The driveway to our house is covered with fine gravel.
Whether 'Kies' (gravel/dough) means stones or money is revealed by the context. If people are talking about construction work, garden paths, or beaches, it is about stones. If it is about buying, costs, or wealth, it colloquially means money.
Für den neuen Gartenweg brauchen wir noch drei Säcke Kies.
We still need three bags of gravel for the new garden path.
In the meaning 'stones', 'Kies' (gravel) is a mass noun, similar to 'Sand' (sand) or 'Wasser' (water). It is therefore usually used in the singular and often without an article when talking about the material in general.
Der LKW hat eine große Ladung Kies geliefert.
The truck delivered a large load of gravel.
The use of 'Kies' (dough) for money is colloquial and is used rather less often today. However, you can still find it in some expressions or when someone deliberately wants to sound casual.
Er hat ordentlich Kies mit seiner neuen Geschäftsidee gemacht.
He made a good amount of dough with his new business idea.
money
'das Geld' and 'der Kies' can both refer to financial means. 'Geld' is the normal, neutral word and fits in everyday life, at work, and in official situations. 'Kies' is colloquial and somewhat old-fashioned. It sounds casual and sometimes a little joking. It is used more in informal conversations, not in serious or official texts. In practice: 'Geld' is always understandable, while 'Kies' only fits when the tone is very casual.
Nach dem Konzert hatte die Band endlich genug Kies für neue Instrumente.
After the concert, the band finally had enough dough for new instruments.
Heute ist das Geld für die Miete auf meinem Konto angekommen.
Today the money for the rent arrived in my account.